Using memory device sensors

ABSTRACT

Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to using memory device sensors are described. Some memory system or device types include sensors embedded in their circuitry. For instance, another device can be coupled to a memory device with an embedded sensor. The memory device can transmit a signal representing sensor data generated by the embedded sensor using a sensor output coupled to the other device. A controller coupled to a memory device may determine one or more threshold values of a sensor or sensors embedded in a memory device. The memory device may transmit an indication responsive to one or more sensors detecting a value greater or less than a threshold and may transmit the indication to another device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to semiconductor memory andmethods, and more particularly, to apparatuses, systems, and methods forusing memory device sensors.

BACKGROUND

Memory devices are typically provided as internal, semiconductor,integrated circuits in computers or other electronic systems. There aremany different types of memory including volatile and non-volatilememory. Volatile memory can require power to maintain its data (e.g.,host data, error data, etc.) and includes random access memory (RAM),dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM),synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), and thyristor randomaccess memory (TRAM), among others. Non-volatile memory can providepersistent data by retaining stored data when not powered and caninclude NAND flash memory, NOR flash memory, and resistance variablememory such as phase change random access memory (PCRAM), resistiverandom access memory (RRAM), and magnetoresistive random access memory(MRAM), such as spin torque transfer random access memory (STT RAM),among others.

Memory devices can be coupled to a another device (e.g., a host device,a computing device, a processing resource, etc.) to store data,commands, and/or instructions for use by the host while the computer orelectronic system is operating. For example, data, commands, and/orinstructions can be transferred between the other device and the memorydevice(s) during operation of a computing or other electronic system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an apparatus in the form of acomputing system including memory device sensors in accordance with anumber of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram in the form of a computing systemincluding device sensors in accordance with a number of embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is flow diagram including examples of memory device sensors inaccordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is diagram including examples of a system including memory devicesensors coupled to another device of a vehicle in accordance with anumber of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is flow diagram including examples of using memory device sensorsin accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is flow diagram including examples of using memory device sensorsin accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram representing an example method for using memorydevice sensors in accordance with a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram representing another example method for usingmemory device sensors in accordance with a number of embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems, apparatuses, and methods related to using memory device sensorsare described. Some memory system or device types include sensorsembedded in their circuitry. For instance, another device can be coupledto a memory device with an embedded sensor. The memory device cantransmit the data generated by the embedded sensor using a sensor outputcoupled to the other device. A controller coupled to a memory device maydetermine one or more threshold values of a sensor or sensors embeddedin a memory device. The memory device may transmit an indicationresponsive to one or more sensors detecting a value greater or less thana threshold and may transmit the indication to another device.

Memory systems can include multiple types of memory devices includingmemory media (e.g., volatile and/or non-volatile) and can write data tothe various memory devices. Some types of memory devices includeembedded sensors in the memory device. In some examples, the sensors areembedded in the memory device and can generate data. The sensor datagenerated by the sensors can vary based on the type of sensor and theenvironment of the memory device and/or another device coupled to thememory device. Many devices utilize memory devices and can benefit fromsensors embedded in the memory device (e.g., circuitry and/or asubstrate of memory devices). Utilizing sensors embedded in memorydevices to obtain information generated by the embedded sensor canconserve resources (e.g., space, money, power, etc.) by removing theneed to include hardware for an external sensor.

A computing system including memory systems can include one or moredifferent memory device types which can be used to store (e.g., write)data in a computing system. Such data can be transferred between thecomputing system and the memory system. The data stored in memorydevices can be important or even critical to operation of the computingsystem. Some examples of memory devices include non-volatile memory andvolatile memory.

Non-volatile memory can provide persistent data by retaining stored datawhen not powered and can include NAND flash memory, NOR flash memory,read only memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM),Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), and Storage Class Memory (SCM) thatcan include resistance variable memory, such as phase change randomaccess memory (PCRAM), three-dimensional cross-point memory (e.g., 3DXPoint™), resistive random access memory (RRAM), ferroelectric randomaccess memory (FeRAM), magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), andprogrammable conductive memory, among other types of memory. Volatilememory can require power to maintain its data (e.g., error data, etc.)and includes random-access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory(DRAM), and static random access memory (SRAM), among others. Some typesof memory devices can include sensors embedded in the circuitry of thememory device.

For example, DRAM can include one or more sensors (e.g., a temperaturesensor) that are embedded in circuitry. The embedded sensors can beprogrammable to generate a signal. The signal can represent sensor dataand the memory device (e.g., including DRAM) can receive the signals andstore the data associated with the sensors (e.g., sensor data). Thesignal can represent data related to an environment where the DRAM islocated and/or related to another device that is coupled to the DRAM.Computing devices can frequently include DRAM as memory media. As otherdevices such as wireless communication devices, processors, centralprocessing units (CPUs), mobile devices, semi-autonomous vehicles, fullyautonomous vehicles, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, mobile artificialintelligence systems, wireless communication devices configured tocommunicate using a wireless peer-to-peer or machine type communicationprotocols, etc. become more prevalent, sensors and other devices relatedto computing systems are also increasingly needed to generateinformation about the surroundings of the device. As such, there is agrowing need for information gathered by sensors coupled to devices(e.g., computing devices).

In some approaches, external sensors can be coupled to a computingdevice and transmit a signal including sensor data to a memory devicecoupled to the computing system. This approach can provide a signalgenerated from the sensor to the computing system. This approach can beslow, costly, and the sensors can occupy space that may not be readilyavailable, consume excess power, and/or otherwise waste resources of thecomputing system (or a host of a computing system).

Hosts can include computing devices, processors, a central processingunit (CPU), and/or be another device connected to the memory device.Such hosts include edge computing devices, computing devices within amobile device, computing devices within vehicles (e.g., autonomous orsemi-autonomous vehicles, etc.) and can use memory devices such as DRAMto execute applications and may benefit from the use of sensors. In someexamples herein, memory devices including memory media such as DRAM mayinclude sensors on-board (e.g., embedded in circuitry of the memorydevice). For example, a vehicle can include a device (e.g., a computingdevice, a processor, a CPU, etc.) to execute instructions sored in amemory device coupled to the device within the vehicle. The sensors maybe intermittently or consistently generating signals including sensordata to be written (e.g., stored) in the DRAM, however, end applicationaccess to the sensor data stored in DRAM is not always possible orefficient. As more devices (e.g., edge computing devices, vehicles,etc.) utilize DRAM, and storage capability of memory systems increase,the volume of sensor data generated by embedded sensors increases, andthe effects of the inability to access sensor data stored in DRAM becomemore pronounced. These effects can be further exacerbated by thelimitations of some approaches to read and interpret sensor data fromexternal sensors such that the contents can be effective, especially asthe amount of sensor data stored in memory systems and the speed atwhich sensor data retrieval is expected.

In contrast, embodiments herein are directed to enabling endapplication, user applications, and/or host applications, access tosensors embedded in memory device (e.g., DRAM) such that the deviceconnected to the memory device can conserve resources by refraining fromthe installation of external sensors thus saving power, unnecessaryhardware, cost, etc. Devices can take advantage of already existingembedded sensors included in DRAM that can be included in a memorydevice coupled to the host. For example, in a context of mobile devicesand/or partially or fully autonomous vehicles, decisions related tosensor data received from sensors may require end-user access such thatactions can be taken quickly, efficiently, or otherwise interpreted.Enabling the use of sensors already existing on DRAM can increase theavailability of such sensor data from sensors.

In another embodiment, sensors described herein can be located and/orexist near and/or on a scribe line in semiconductor memory devices. Ascribe line can be located on a semiconductor wafer between dies suchthat the dies can be separated. In some examples, sensors are integratedon a semiconductor wafer near and/or on the scribe line duringmanufacturing. Enabling the use of these integrated (e.g., embedded)sensors post-manufacturing can increase the availability of sensor datacollected by the sensors without the need of extra and/or externalhardware.

Wireless communication devices configured to communicate using awireless peer-to-peer and/or a machine-type-communication protocol(e.g., vehicles and other IoT devices) may be manufactured to includememory devices such as DRAM. In some examples, memory devices caninclude sensors in the circuitry of the memory devices. The sensorsincluded in the memory device of vehicles and/or IoT devices can be usedto monitor the safety of the vehicle and/or IoT device. Scalability ofthe sensors embedded in the devices such that the sensor data generatedby the embedded sensors are available to end use applications (e.g., toalert, monitor, or vehicle or IoT device safety), users, etc. may besought in various situations as described herein by examples.

Embodiments herein describe another device coupled to a memory devicethat can be configured by a controller e.g., a processor, controlcircuitry, hardware, firmware, and/or software and a number of memorydevices each including control circuitry. The controller can include acommand decoder to output a value to the other device. As used herein,the term “value” refers to an output from a sensor embedded in thememory device. some examples of values can include a temperature valuee.g., a temperature in Fahrenheit, Celsius, Kelvin, or any other unitused to measure thermodynamic temperature. The temperature value can betransmitted as an encoded 8-bit binary string. Another examples of avalue can be a unit of time (e.g., microseconds (μs), seconds, minutes,etc.), or a quantity of detection events. A detection event can be aquantity of motion events detected by a motion sensor embedded in memorydevices and a motion value and/or a motion sensor value can be aquantity of motion events detected.

The output from the embedded sensors can be transmitted from the memorydevice using a sensor output. As used herein, the term “sensor output”refers to an output component that is configured to transfer sensor datafrom an embedded sensor to a device. For example, a sensor output can beseparate from a data output generally included on a bus. The sensoroutput can be used to transmit an indication about the sensor data to adevice. The sensor output can be dedicated to the sensor such that it isconfigured to transmit a signal representing sensor data and/or anindication to the device.

In some examples, a sensor output described herein can be a valuegenerated as an average of more than one embedded sensor. In someexamples, the sensor output can be a weighted average of more than oneembedded sensor where the weight is based on the location of theembedded sensor relative to the area where the sensor is generatingsensor data. For example, more than one embedded temperature sensor canbe located in various positions on a device (e.g., an IoT device, avehicle, etc.) to monitor the temperature of the interior device. Forexample, the temperature sensor value generated by an embedded sensorlocated nearest to the interior sensor in a vehicle can be weightedhigher than a different embedded sensor generating temperature data fromfarther away from the interior of the vehicle.

In another embodiment described herein, memory devices such as DRAMhaving an embedded sensor can be configured to transmit a signalrepresenting sensor data from the embedded sensor to a device coupled tothe memory device using standard I/O lines included in a bus. Forexample, a controller (e.g., a command decoder) can receive a command(e.g., a multi-purpose register read command), and the memory devicescan be configured to map each embedded sensor output to a correspondingmulti-purpose register. In this example, existing bandwidth of thememory device can be used to conserve the need for a dedicated sensoroutput.

In the following detailed description of the present disclosure,reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof,and in which is shown by way of illustration how one or more embodimentsof the disclosure can be practiced. These embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art topractice the embodiments of this disclosure, and it is to be understoodthat other embodiments can be utilized and that process, electrical, andstructural changes can be made without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure.

As used herein, designators such as “N,” “M”, “P”, etc., particularlywith respect to reference numerals in the drawings, indicate that anumber of the particular feature so designated can be included. It isalso to be understood that the terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended tobe limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” caninclude both singular and plural referents, unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. In addition, “a number of,” “at least one,” and “oneor more” (e.g., a number of memory devices) can refer to one or morememory devices, whereas a “plurality of” is intended to refer to morethan one of such things. Furthermore, the words “can” and “may” are usedthroughout this application in a permissive sense (i.e., having thepotential to, being able to), not in a mandatory sense (i.e., must). Theterm “include,” and derivations thereof, means “including, but notlimited to.” The terms “coupled,” and “coupling” mean to be directly orindirectly connected physically or for access to and movement(transmission) of commands and/or data, as appropriate to the context,and, unless stated otherwise, can include a wireless connection. Theterms “data” and “data values” are used interchangeably herein and canhave the same meaning, as appropriate to the context.

The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the firstdigit or digits correspond to the figure number and the remaining digitsidentify an element or component in the figure. Similar elements orcomponents between different figures can be identified by the use ofsimilar digits. For example, 106 can reference element “06” in FIG. 1,and a similar element can be referenced as 206 in FIG. 2. A group orplurality of similar elements or components can generally be referred toherein with a single element number. For example, a plurality ofreference elements 230-1, . . . , 230-P (e.g., 230-1 to 230-P) can bereferred to generally as 230. As will be appreciated, elements shown inthe various embodiments herein can be added, exchanged, and/oreliminated so as to provide a number of additional embodiments of thepresent disclosure. In addition, the proportion and/or the relativescale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to illustratecertain embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be taken ina limiting sense.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an apparatus in the form of acomputing system 100 including memory device sensors in accordance witha number of embodiments of the present disclosure. As used herein, an“apparatus” can refer to, but is not limited to, any of a variety ofstructures or combinations of structures, such as a circuit orcircuitry, a die or dice, a module or modules, a device or devices, or asystem or systems, for example. The computing system 100 can includememory device 112. The memory device 112 can include memory array 104-1and memory array 104-M which may be collectively referred to herein asthe memory array 104. The memory device 112 can include a controller 102coupled to a multiplexer (MUX) 106. The MUX 106 can be coupled to one ormore sensors embedded in circuitry of the memory device 112. Forexample, the MUX 106 can be coupled to a temperature sensor 130-1, atimer 130-2 (e.g., for self-refresh control), an oscillator 130-3, acounter 130-4, and/or a motion sensor 130-P, which may be collectivelyreferred to as the sensor or the sensors 130. A motion sensor caninclude integrated orientation sensors such as accelerometers and/orgyroscopes (e.g., microelectromechanical system gyroscope). Althoughspecific types of sensors are mentioned herein, embodiments are not solimited and other sensors can be used (e.g., a pressure sensor and/or arandom number generator).

The memory device 112 can include volatile or non-volatile memory. Forexample, the memory media of the memory device 112 can be volatilememory media such as DRAM. DRAM can include a plurality of sensors whichcan be at least one of a temperature sensor, a motion sensor, anoscillator, a timer, or a combination thereof. The memory device 112 canbe coupled to another device 120 via a bus 105. The bus 105 can includea clock line (CLK) 108, a command line 110 to transmit commands, anaddress line 114 to determine where commands should be sent, and a datainput/output (data I/O) 116. The other device 120 can be a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC), an edge computing device, etc. Theother device 120 can be a host and/or included as part of another devicesuch as a vehicle (not illustrated as to not obscure examples of thedisclosure).

A host (e.g., a processor, a CPU, a computing system, etc.) can be ahost system such as a processor within a wireless communication device,a processor within a personal laptop computer, a processor within avehicle, a processor within a desktop computer, a processor within adigital camera, a processor within a mobile telephone, a processorwithin an IoT enabled device, or a processor within a memory cardreader, a processor within graphics processing unit (e.g., a videocard), among various other types of host systems. As used herein an “IoTenabled device” can refer to devices embedded with electronics,software, sensors, actuators, and/or network connectivity which enablesuch devices to connect to a network and/or exchange data. Examples ofIoT enabled devices include wireless communication devices, mobilephones, smart phones, tablets, phablets, computing devices, implantabledevices, vehicles, home appliances, smart home devices, monitoringdevices, wearable devices, devices enabling intelligent shoppingsystems, among other cyber-physical systems.

The other device 120 can include a system motherboard and/or backplaneand can include a number of memory access devices, e.g., a number ofprocessing resources (e.g., one or more processors, microprocessors, orsome other type of controlling circuitry). One of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that “a processor” can intend one or moreprocessors, such as a parallel processing system, a number ofcoprocessors, etc. The other device 120 can be coupled to memory device112 by the bus 105.

The controller 102 can include a command decoder which can receivecommands from the command line 110 of the bus 105. The command to readdata from a sensor 130 can be received by the controller 102. Thecommand can be a mode register type command from the other device 120which can include information related to which sensor needs to outputsensor data using the sensor output 118. The MUX can be a device thatselects between analog and digital input signals received from selectionpins and forward the signal to the sensor output 118.

As mentioned, the computing system 100 includes a sensor 130 embedded incircuitry the memory device 112. The sensor 130 can be configured tocollect data related to the device 120. For example, the device 120 canbe a part of and/or coupled to another device such as a vehicle. Thesensor 130 can be embedded in the memory device 112 such as includingmemory such as DRAM and collect data corresponding to an environment ofthe device 120. Said differently, the embedded sensor 130 can be atemperature sensor 130-1 which can generate a sensor data value (e.g., aparticular temperature value) in the form of a temperature of the memorydevice 112 coupled to another device such as a vehicle.

The memory device 112 can be configured to transmit the sensor 130 datato the device 120 using the sensor output 118. For example, the sensoroutput 118 coupled can be coupled to one or more of the sensors 130 andto the other device 120 to transmit the sensor data collected by thesensor 130 to the other device 120. The sensor output can be dedicatedto the sensor embedded in the memory device 112. In this way, embeddedsensors 130 can be accessible by end applications to provide sensorgenerated sensor data.

In some embodiments, the MUX 106 can receive sensor data from multiplesensors 130 responsive to receiving a command from the controller 106.For example, the controller 106 can receive a request from the otherdevice 120 via the bus 105 to read sensor data from one or more sensors130. Responsive to receiving the request, the controller 102 cantransmit a command to the MUX 106 to select and forward sensor data fromthe temperature sensor 130-1 and the motion sensor 130-P, where themotion sensor 130-P and the temperature sensor 130-1 are both embeddedin circuitry of the of the memory device 112. The MUX 106 can transmitthe sensor data form the temperature sensor 130-1 and the motion sensor130-P to the other device 120 via the sensor output 118.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram in the form of a computing system200 including memory device sensors 230 in accordance with a number ofembodiments of the present disclosure. The computing system 200 caninclude memory device 212 and be analogous to the memory device 112 ofFIG. 1. The memory device 212 can include memory array 204-1 and memoryarray 204-M which may be collectively referred to herein as the memoryarray 204 and be analogous to the memory array 104 of FIG. 1.

The memory device 212 can include controller 202 which can be analogousto controller 102 of FIG. 1. The controller 202 can be coupled toregisters 224-1, 224-2, 224-3, and 224-N and be collectively referred toherein as registers 224. The registers 224 can each be coupled to one ormore sensors embedded in circuitry of the memory device 212. Forexample, the register 224-1 can be coupled to a temperature sensor230-1, the register 224-2 can be coupled to a motion sensor 230-P, theregister 224-3 and 224-N can be coupled to a timer 230-2 via anoscillator 230-3 and/or a counter 230-4, which may be collectivelyreferred to as the sensor or the sensors 230. Although specific types ofsensors are mentioned herein, embodiments are not so limited and othersensors can be used (e.g., a pressure sensor and/or a random numbergenerator).

The memory device 212 can be coupled to another device 220 via a bus205. The bus 205 can include a clock line (CLK) 208, a command line 210to transmit commands, an address line 214 to determine where commandsshould be sent, and a data input/output (data I/O) 216. The other device220 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit(GPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an edgecomputing device, etc. The other device 220 can be included as part ofanother device such as a vehicle (not illustrated as to not obscureexamples of the disclosure).

The bus 205 can be coupled to an input/output logic (IO logic) 219. TheIO logic 219 can be a communication between the memory device 212 andthe other device 220. The I/O logic 219 can include hardware to performinput and output operations for the memory device 212. The I/O logic 219can receive information from the imbedded sensors 230 and transmit themto the other device 220 via the bus 205.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of another device 220 and memory device212 coupled to the other device 220. The memory device 212 includes aplurality of sensors 230 embedded in the memory device 212, and aplurality of registers 224 each respectively coupled to one of theplurality of sensors 230, the controller 202 (e.g., a command decode) totransmit commands to read one or more of the plurality of registers, anda data output (Data/IO) 216 coupled to the plurality of registers 224(e.g., via the IO logic 219) to transmit the sensor data from theplurality of registers 224 to the other device 220.

The signal representing sensor data transmitted from the sensors 230 torespective registers 224 can be data of an operation of the sensor 230.For example, the temperature sensor 230-1 can generate a temperaturevalue and transmit the temperature value to the register 224-1, theembedded timer 230-2 can include an oscillator 230-3 and/or a counter230-4 which can transmit a signal representing sensor data to register224-3 and/or 224-N, the embedded motion sensor 230-P can transmit motionsensor data to the register 224-2.

The embedded timer can include the oscillator 230-3 which can produce aperiodic signal to transmit to the register 224-3 and/or to the counter230-4. The counter 230-4 can (independently or concurrently with theoscillator 230-3) transmit a quantity of incidences of sensor datacollected by one or more of the sensors 230. Said differently, theoscillator 230-3 can work with the counter 230-4 to periodicallygenerate a signal which can report a quantity of sensor data signalsgenerated from any of the sensors 230. In contrast, the oscillator 230-3and the counter 230-4 can operate independently to transmit respectivesensor data to respective registers.

In some embodiments, the controller 202 can configure the sensors 230 togenerate sensor data based on parameters. For example, the controller202 can configure the sensors 230 to generate sensor data to therespective registers 224 when the other device 220 is located in aparticular environment. The controller 202 can generate a register readcommand 222 to read the sensor data stored in the respective registersand the I/O logic 219 can transmit a signal representing sensor datafrom the registers 224 to the other device 220.

The environment can be a location of the other device 220 (e.g., alocation of the other device). The controller 202 can receive anindication from the other device 220 related to the environment, and thecontroller 202 can configure the sensors 230 to generate sensor dataabout the environment. For example, the controller 202 can receive anindication that the other device 220 is located in an environment. Thecontroller 202 can configure the temperature sensor 230-1 to generate atemperature value (e.g., an encoded 8-bit binary string) and transmitthe temperature value to the register 224-1. Responsive to a registerread command 222 transmitted from the controller 202, the I/O logic 219can transmit the sensor data from the register 224-1 including thetemperature value to the other device 220. Said differently, the I/Ologic 219 can transmit the values related to the respective operationsof the plurality of sensors 230 to the other device 220. Using thesemethods, the temperature value generated by the embedded temperaturesensor 230-1 can be accessible to the other device 220 and/or user.

In some embodiments, the embedded timer 230-2 (using an embeddedoscillator 203-3 and/or an embedded counter 230-4) can produce a timeroutput with a fixed period such as In other embodiments, the timeroutput can be a flag, where the controller 202 is configured to generatea register read command 222 when a quantity of seconds have elapsed. Thecontroller 202 can program the memory device 212 to generate sensoroutputs to the respective registers 224 based on the quantity of secondsthat have elapsed.

As mentioned, the motion sensor 230-P can be embedded in the circuitryof the memory device 212 and can detect a change in motion within anenvironment. For example, the environment can be a location of the otherdevice 220. The controller 202 can receive an indication from the otherdevice 220 related to the environment and the controller 202 canconfigure the sensors 230 to generate sensor data about the environment.For example, the controller 202 can receive an indication that the otherdevice 220 is located in an environment. The controller 202 canconfigure the motion sensor 230-P to generate a flag if motion isdetected in the environment. Responsive to a register read command 222transmitted from the controller 202, the I/O logic 219 can transmit thesensor data from the register 224-2 including the motion sensor flag tothe other device 220.

In some embodiments, multiple embedded sensors 230 can be used incombination to provide information to the user via the other device 220.For example, the other device 220 can be coupled to a wirelesscommunication device which can initiate an operation responsive totransmission of the signal representing sensor data (e.g., from one ormore of the sensors 230) from the plurality of registers 224 to theother device 220. The wireless communication device can include theother device 220 and can make decisions based on the received sensordata. For example, the wireless communication device may be a mobilephone, and the other device 220 coupled to the mobile phone may receivea temperature value from the temperature sensor 230-1, and the motionsensor 230-P embedded in the memory device 212 of the mobile phone.Based on the receipt of the temperature value and the motion sensorvalue, the other device 220 may initiate the mobile phone to change anoperation (e.g., switch from on to off). Using these methods, users cangain access to embedded sensor data and avoid the need for externalsensor installations.

FIG. 3 is flow diagram including an example of memory device sensors inaccordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. Theflow diagram 301 of FIG. 3 describes a memory device (e.g., the memorydevice 112 of FIG. 1) programming, via a controller (e.g., thecontroller 102 of FIG. 1), sensors (e.g., the sensors 130 of FIG. 1)embedded in circuitry of the memory device, to generate sensor datarelated to the memory device coupled to another device (e.g., the device120 of FIG. 1). At block 340 the memory device can configure, via thecontroller, the sensors embedded in the circuitry of the memory deviceto generate sensor data to be externally accessible to another device.For example, the memory device can be configured to generate sensor datafrom the embedded sensors. In some embodiments, the memory device can beconfigured to generate the sensor data from the embedded sensors atpredetermined intervals, when the other device is operating, and/or whenthe sensors detect a value that is greater than or less than apredetermined threshold.

At block 342, one or more of the embedded sensors can collect sensordata values. For example, a temperature sensor (e.g., the temperaturesensor 130-1 of FIG. 1) can collect a temperature from an environment ofwhich the other device and/or the memory device is located. The sensorsembedded in the circuitry of the memory device may collect sensor dataintermittently, responsive to a command, and/or continuously, etc. Insome embodiments, the sensor data collected by the sensors can betransmitted to the other device via a dedicated output (e.g., the sensoroutput 118 of FIG. 1). The sensor output can be coupled to the sensorsembedded in the memory device. In other embodiments, the sensor data canbe transmitted to a register (e.g., the registers 224 of FIG. 2) that ismapped to each embedded sensor.

For example, at block 344, the memory device can transmit the sensordata value to a corresponding register. At block 346 the sensor datavalue from the embedded sensor can be stored in its correspondingregister until it is transmitted to the other device. In some examples,the register can store the sensor data value until it is retrieved by anI/O logic (e.g., the I/O logic 207 of FIG. 2). At block 348, the I/Ologic can receive the sensor data value from the register. The I/O logiccan receive the sensor data value responsive to a register read command(e.g., the register read command 222 of FIG. 2) generated by thecontroller of the memory device. The register read command can begenerated responsive to the other device being in an environment,changing an environment, and/or requested by a user.

At block 350 the sensor data value can be transmitted to the otherdevice. As mentioned herein, the other device can be coupled to or be apart a device such as a vehicle, etc. Using an embedded sensor, a userof the vehicle can benefit from embedded sensors being accessible. Thevehicle can save resources, time, and/or power by utilizing sensors thatare embedded in the memory device of the vehicle. The sensor datacollected from the sensors embedded in the memory device can be analyzedby the other device. At block 352, the other device can analyze thesensor data value received from the embedded sensors. In some examples,the other device can cause the vehicle coupled to the other device tochange an operation based at least in part on the sensor data receivedfrom the memory device.

FIG. 4 is diagram including examples of a system 409 including memorydevice sensors 430 coupled to another device 420 of a vehicle 403 inaccordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. Avehicle may include a car (e.g., sedan, van, truck, etc.), a connectedvehicle (e.g., a vehicle that has a computing capability to communicatewith an external server), an autonomous vehicle (e.g., a vehicle withself-automation capabilities such as self-driving), a drone, a plane,and/or anything used for transporting people and/or goods. The otherdevice 420 can be a host controller and/or a separate device including ahost controller and/or connected to a host controller.

A host controller can be a controller designed to assist in processing(e.g., operations, automation, decision control, etc.) endeavors of adevice (e.g., the vehicle 403) coupled to the host controller. Forexample, the other device 420 can be a wireless communication deviceand/or an advanced driver assistance system controller (ADAS). An ADAScan monitor sensor data from the sensors embedded in the memory device412 to prevent accidents and provide warning of potentially unsafesituations. For example, the ADAS may monitor sensors in a vehicle 403and take control of the vehicle 403 operations (e.g., heating andcooling) to avoid accident or injury. A host controller such as an ADASmay need to act and make decisions quickly to avoid accidents and/orinjury. The memory device 412 can be coupled to the other device 420 viaa bus 405 which can be analogous to the bus 105 described in connectionwith FIG. 1.

The memory device 412 includes sensors 430-1 and 430-P which can becollectively referred to as the sensors 430 and analogous to the sensors130 of FIG. 1. The memory device can include a MUX 406 that can becoupled to the sensors 430 embedded in circuitry of the memory device412. The MUX 406 can transmit the sensor data from the sensors 430 tothe other device 420 via the sensor output 418. The memory device 412can further include a controller 402 to configure the sensors 430, thecontroller 402 can be analogous to the controller 102 of FIG. 1.

The sensors 430 can monitor the vehicle 403. Different sensors canmonitor the vehicle 403 to generate different values. The sensors 430can include an embedded temperature sensor, an embedded motion sensor,an embedded timer, an embedded oscillator, an embedded clock, etc. Thesensor output 418 can be dedicated to the sensors 430 embedded in thememory device 412. In this way, the other device 420 of the vehicle 403can access sensor data generated from the embedded sensors 430 thusavoiding the need for external sensors to monitor aspects of the vehicle403.

In some example, the other device 420 can be a wireless communicationdevice with a user accessible interface. A device including a useraccessible interface can be a device that can communicate indicationsgenerated by the memory device 412 about the environment of the vehicle403. The user accessible interface may be a device with wirelesscapability to alert a user of the vehicle 403 about values generated bythe embedded sensors 430. The sensors 430 can be configurable to includethresholds, and when the values generated are greater than or less thanthe respective configured threshold, the memory device 412 can transmitan indication to the other device 420 via the sensor output 418.

For example, a temperature sensor 430-1 can be configured to have afirst threshold (e.g., a low threshold) temperature of 5 degrees Celsiusand a second threshold (e.g., a high temperature) threshold of 25degrees Celsius. A value generated by the temperature sensor 430-1 thatis above or below the respective thresholds would be any temperaturebelow 5 degrees Celsius or above 25 degrees Celsius. Another sensor430-P can be a motion sensor embedded in the memory device 412. Themotion sensor 430-P can include a threshold quantity of motion valuesdetected within a predetermined period of time. For example, the motionsensor 430-P embedded in the memory device and configured with athreshold quantity of 0-2 motion values detected within a 60 secondperiod inside the vehicle 403. A quantity greater than 2 motion valuesdetected by the motion sensor 430-P is greater than the configuredthreshold. Although specific values are mentioned herein by example, anythreshold value can be configured as thresholds for the sensors 430embedded in the memory device 412.

The example embodiment illustrated by FIG. 4 illustrates a system 409including a vehicle 403 with another device 420 (e.g., a hostcontroller, a wireless communication device, etc.) coupled to the memorydevice 412 including one or more sensors 430 embedded in the memorydevice 412 and coupled to the other device 420 via the sensor output418. The memory device 412 and/or the controller 402 can be configuredto determined respective thresholds for each of the one or more sensors430 embedded in the memory device 412 and transmit an indication to theother device 420 responsive to the one or more sensors detecting a valuethat is greater than or less than the respective thresholds for the oneor more sensors 430.

For example, the sensor 430-1 can be a temperature sensor embedded inthe memory device 412 and configured with a temperature threshold. Thetemperature threshold can include a high temperature threshold and/or alow temperature threshold. The sensor 430-P can be a motion sensorembedded in the memory device 412 and configured with a thresholdassociated with a characteristic of relative motion of another object.As described herein, a threshold associated with a characteristic ofrelative motion of another object can be a quantity of detected motionvalues detected within a period of time, where the period of time can besensed by a timer sensor (e.g., the timer 130-2 of FIG. 1).

The controller 402 can configure the sensors 430 with the respectivethresholds and can transmit an indication to the other device 420 viathe sensor output 418 that the values generated by the sensors aregreater than or less than the respective thresholds. For example, thecontroller 420 can be configured to transmit the indication to the otherdevice 420 via the sensor output 418 responsive to a determination thata temperature value detected by the temperature sensor 430-1 is greaterthan or less than the respective temperature threshold and responsive toa determination that a motion value detected by the motion sensor 430-Pis greater than the threshold associated with a characteristic ofrelative motion of another object. Using these methods, the other device420 can take an action e.g., initiate a heating or cooling elementresponsive to the receipt of the indication.

In another embodiment, the memory device 412 can be configured torefrain from transmitting an indication responsive to the valuesgenerated by the sensors 430 being within the configured thresholds. Forexample, the controller 402 can be configured to refrain fromtransmitting an indication to the other device 420 via the sensor output418 responsive to a determination that a temperature value detected bythe temperature sensor 430-1 is inside the temperature threshold andresponsive to a determination that a motion value detected by the motionsensor 430-P is within the threshold associated with a characteristic ofrelative motion of another object.

The embedded sensors 430 and/or the memory device 412 (e.g., thecontroller 402 within the memory device 412) can be configured torefrain from generating an indication based on an operation of thevehicle 403. In the context of safety of an animal, human, organism, orotherwise vulnerable items being in an interior of a vehicle withpotentially detrimental temperatures, the operation of the vehicle 403can indicate the safety concern. For example, if the vehicle 403 ismoving, the movement of the vehicle can be indicated by the other device420 that is in communication with the memory device 412 having embeddedsensors 430. The vehicle 403, when moving, may not require an indicationof motion detected within the interior of the vehicle. As such, thecontroller 402 of the memory device 412 can configure the embeddedsensors 430 to refrain from generating sensor data and/or the embeddedsensors 430 can be configured to be disabled during certain operationsof the vehicle.

For example, the controller 402 can detect a change in an operation ofthe other device 420, where the other device 420 is coupled to a vehicle403 and the change in operation is the vehicle 403 changing from aparked operation to a moving operation. The controller 402 can alter atemperature threshold of the temperature sensor 430-1 embedded in thememory device 412 and alter a threshold associated with a characteristicof relative motion of another object of the motion sensor 430-P embeddedin the memory device 412 where the temperature threshold and thethreshold associated with a characteristic of relative motion of anotherobject are altered based at least in part on the detected change inoperation of the vehicle 403. The alteration by the controller 402 caninclude increasing or decreasing the temperature threshold, increasingor decreasing the threshold associated with a characteristic of relativemotion of another object e.g., the quantity of motion values detectedwithin a time period, and/or disabling an embedded sensor fromoperating. For example, the controller 402 can disable the motion sensor430-P embedded in the memory device 412 based on the detection by thecontroller 412 that the vehicle 403 is in motion.

While the examples of FIG. 4 describe the utilization of a sensor output418, embodiments are not so limited. The examples, described inconnection with FIG. 4 can utilize registers (e.g., the registers 224 ofFIG. 2) and an I/O logic (e.g., the I/O logic 207 of FIG. 2).

FIG. 5 is flow diagram 511 including examples of using memory devicesensors in accordance with a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The flow diagram 511 describes a vehicle (e.g., the vehicle403 of FIG. 4) having sensors (e.g., sensors 430 of FIG. 4) embedded inmemory device (e.g., memory device 112 of FIG. 1) coupled to anotherdevice (e.g., the device 420 of FIG. 4) such that the values generatedby the sensors can be provided to the device via a sensor output (e.g.,the sensor output 418). In some embodiments, the device is included inthe vehicle and the sensor is a temperature sensor embedded in thememory device coupled to the vehicle, to generate a temperature value ofthe interior of the vehicle.

For example, at block 560 the flow chart 511 describes a temperaturesensor (e.g., the temperature sensor 130-1 of FIG. 1) to read atemperature of the vehicle. The temperature read by the temperaturesensor can be an interior temperature of the vehicle. The temperaturesensor is embedded in memory device coupled to the vehicle, and thecontroller of the memory device can configure the temperature sensor tohave a high temperature threshold and a low temperature threshold.

For example, the vehicle can include safety features that enable thememory device to generate an indication (e.g., an alert) responsive tothe determination that a temperature has increased or decreased to avalue determined to be unsafe. For example, the at block 562, the flowdiagram 511 includes the controller configuring the temperature sensorembedded in the memory device to include a high temperature threshold ofthe interior of the vehicle. At block 564, the flow diagram 511 includesthe controller configuring the temperature sensor embedded in the memorydevice to include a low temperature threshold of the interior of thevehicle. The temperature sensor can generate a temperature value of theinterior of the vehicle, and when the generated value is within thethreshold (e.g., in-between the low temperature threshold and the hightemperature threshold) the controller coupled to the memory device cantransmit an indication via the sensor output that the temperature iswithin the threshold.

For example, the other device (e.g., a computing device, a hostcontroller, a wireless communication device, etc. coupled to thevehicle) can receive a temperature value via the sensor output, wherethe temperature value is generated by the sensor embedded in the memorydevice. The other device coupled to the vehicle can determined that thetemperature value is in-between (e.g., in-between the low temperaturethreshold and the high temperature threshold) and refrain fromactivating a temperature control component (of the vehicle) based on thetemperature value. The vehicle (e.g., a device connected to the vehicle,a user, or an end application) having access to an embedded sensorwithin the memory device can be used in this way to conserve resourcesand provide configurable safety features.

When the temperature is within the threshold (e.g., between the hightemperature threshold and the low temperature threshold), the vehicleand/or a user of the vehicle can be aware because the sensor outputprovides access to the temperature sensor data generated by the embeddedsensor. However, the high and low threshold may be configured to keepcontents of the vehicle safe. In some examples, an animal, a human,medication, sensitive computing devices, etc. can be left in a vehicle.Thus, the other device (e.g., the host controller) of the vehicle canaccess the embedded temperature sensor and configure the vehicle toinitiate operations based on the output of the temperature sensor.

In an embodiment, an indication may be an alert that is transmitted tothe other device of the vehicle responsive to the temperature sensorgenerating a value that is above the high temperature thresholddiscussed at block 562. At block 566, the flow diagram 511 includes thevehicle to initiate cooling of the interior of the vehicle. For example,responsive to receiving the indication via the sensor output, the otherdevice (included in the vehicle) activates a cooling component. Usingthis method, the embedded sensor can provide sensor data that isaccessible to users and end use applications.

In another embodiment, another indication may be another alert that istransmitted to the other device of the vehicle responsive to thetemperature sensor generating a value that is below the low temperaturethreshold discussed at block 564. At block 568, the flow diagram 511includes the vehicle to initiate heating of the interior of the vehicle.For example, responsive to receiving the indication via the sensoroutput, the other device (included in the vehicle) activates a heatingcomponent. Using this method, the embedded sensor can provide sensordata that is accessible to users and end use applications.

In some examples, the other device of the vehicle can be a userinterface and/or remotely coupled (e.g., wirelessly) to a user interfacesuch that a user or end application can be made aware of the temperaturevalue (e.g., 25 degrees Celsius) of the interior of the vehicle. As suchthe controller of the memory device can transmit, via the sensor output,the temperature value to a user interface coupled (wirelessly ordirectly) to the vehicle.

While the examples of FIG. 5 describe the utilization of a sensoroutput, embodiments are not so limited. The examples, described inconnection with FIG. 5 can utilize registers (e.g., the registers 224 ofFIG. 2) and an I/O logic (e.g., the I/O logic 207 of FIG. 2).

FIG. 6 is flow diagram 613 including examples of using memory devicesensors in accordance with a number of embodiments of the presentdisclosure. The flow diagram 613 describes a vehicle (e.g., the vehicle403 of FIG. 4) having sensors (e.g., sensors 430 of FIG. 4) embedded inmemory device (e.g., memory device 112 of FIG. 1) including a controller(e.g., the controller 102 of FIG. 1) coupled to another device (e.g.,the device 420 of FIG. 4) such that the values generated by the sensorscan be provided to the other device via a sensor output (e.g., thesensor output 418).

The memory device can include a first sensor and a second sensorembedded in the circuitry of the memory device. For example, the otherdevice can be coupled to the vehicle and the first sensor can be atemperature sensor embedded in the memory device to determine atemperature value of an interior of the vehicle; and the second sensorcan be a motion sensor embedded the memory device to detect motionwithin the interior of the vehicle where the temperature value and themotion value can be transmitted to the other device via the sensoroutput.

The temperature sensor and the motion sensor can be configured by thecontroller coupled to memory device to provide sensor data (e.g., sensorvalues) to the other device coupled to the vehicle. The temperaturesensor and the motion sensor can be configured to transmit a signalrepresenting sensor data individually or configured by the controller toprovide the sensor data to the other device simultaneously. Thetemperature sensor can be configured with a threshold temperature (e.g.,a high temperature threshold and/or a low temperature threshold). Themotion sensor can be configured by the controller to include a thresholdassociated with a characteristic of relative motion of another object.In some examples, the threshold associated with a characteristic ofrelative motion of another object can be a quantity of motion valuesdetected by the motion sensor embedded in the memory device within apredetermined period of time. In this example, the period of time can bemonitored (e.g., determined) by a timer embedded in the memory device(e.g., the timer 130-2 of FIG. 1).

Embedded sensors in memory device can be configured with respectivethresholds to provide safety features for a vehicle and/or a user of avehicle, etc. For example, a temperature sensor can monitor thetemperature in the interior of a vehicle and transmit an indication toanother device coupled to the vehicle, responsive to the interiorvehicle temperature being greater than or less than a respectiveconfigured temperature threshold. In some examples, the interiortemperature of the vehicle may be a safety hazard if an animal, human,or otherwise vulnerable organism and/or item is inside the vehicle. Toavoid this safety hazard, a temperature sensor can be configured to beused with a motion sensor such that an indication (e.g., an alarm) istransmitted to the vehicle (e.g., a host controller or another device)in the event that an interior temperature of the vehicle is detectedthat is greater than or less than a respective threshold and a motionvalue is detected by a motion sensor that is greater than or less than arespective configured threshold motion.

Configuring sensors embedded in memory device to provide sensor datagenerated by the respective embedded sensors to another device coupledto a vehicle can provide safety features otherwise unavailable withoutenduring the burden of additional installation or coupling of sensors.The embedded sensors can be configured with thresholds and the memorydevice can be configured to transmit an indication that the conditionsinside a vehicle are greater than or less than a respective configuredthresholds and/or when conditions of the vehicle are met. For example,the interior temperature of a vehicle can be a safety concern when thevehicle is not operated (e.g., parked, off, unattended by an operator,etc.) and an animal, human, or otherwise vulnerable organism and/or itemis inside the vehicle. Sensors embedded in the memory device (e.g.,DRAM) of the vehicle can be configured to generate sensor data of theinterior of the vehicle and alert a user when a perceived dangeroustemperature has been reached and movement has been detected in thevehicle.

In an example embodiment, an embedded temperature sensor and an embeddedmotion sensor can be configured initiate an alert (e.g., an indication)when both exceed a respective threshold and to refrain from generatingan alert responsive to the determination that only one of the sensorshas detected conditions greater than or less than the respectivethresholds. For example, an embedded temperature sensor generating atemperature value of an interior temperature of a vehicle that isgreater than or less than the temperature threshold may not initiate analert if an embedded motion sensor does not detect a motion value fromthe interior of the vehicle. This can indicate that there is not asafety concern as the lack of motion suggests that no animals or humansare inside the vehicle. Likewise, an embedded temperature sensorgenerating a temperature value of an interior temperature of a vehiclethat is inside the temperature threshold may not initiate an alert whenan embedded motion sensor detects a motion value from the interior ofthe vehicle that is greater than or less than the threshold motion. Thiscan indicate that there is not a safety concern because while motion isdetected, the interior temperature of the vehicle is considered safe asdetermined when the temperature threshold was configured.

For example, at block 660, the flow diagram 613 describes a temperaturesensor embedded in the memory device to read a temperature in theinterior of a vehicle. The embedded temperature sensor can be configuredby a controller coupled to the memory device to operate with a motionsensor embedded in the memory device. At block 670, the flow diagram 613describes a motion sensor that can read motion in an interior of thevehicle. In the preceding example, the memory device can transmit asignal representing sensor data values from each of the embeddedtemperature sensor and the embedded motion sensor via the sensor output.The memory device can transmit an indication to the other device coupledto the vehicle responsive to the detected temperature value and thedetected motion value being greater than or less than the respectivethresholds.

For example, at block 672 the embedded temperature sensor can determinethat a temperature greater than or less than the respective temperaturethreshold has been detected, and at block 674, the flow diagram 613describes the embedded motion sensor detecting that a motion value isgreater than or less than the respective threshold motion. This canindicate the presence of a safety concern and the memory device can beconfigured to transmit an indication to the other device coupled to thevehicle. For example, at block 676, the flow diagram 613 describes aninitiation of an indication. The indication can be in the form of analert that can initiate the vehicle to sound an audible alarm, transmita signal to a user, turn vehicle lights on and off, or otherwise createa noticeable disturbance to attract attention to a potentially dangeroussituation.

As mentioned, in some examples, the memory device can refrain fromtransmitting the indication based on a determination of a first embeddedsensor detecting a value that is greater than or less than the firstconfigured threshold, and responsive to the second sensor detecting thesecond value is not greater than or less than the second threshold. Inother words, a vehicle may have an interior temperature detected by anembedded temperature sensor that is greater than or less than therespective threshold temperature, but be devoid of any animal, human, orotherwise vulnerable organism and/or item as determined by the embeddedmotion sensor. In this example, the memory device (e.g., the controllerin the memory device) can refrain from transmitting an indication to theother device coupled to the vehicle.

Likewise, a vehicle may have an animal, human, organism, or otherwisevulnerable item occupying the interior of the vehicle as determined bythe embedded motion sensor detecting a motion value that is greater thanor less than the respective configured threshold associated with acharacteristic of relative motion of another object, but the embeddedtemperature sensor may detect an interior temperature that is within theconfigured temperature threshold. In this example, the memory device(e.g., the controller in the memory device) can refrain fromtransmitting an indication to the other device coupled to the vehicle.

While the examples of FIG. 6 describe the utilization of a sensoroutput, embodiments are not so limited. The examples, described inconnection with FIG. 6 can utilize registers (e.g., the registers 224 ofFIG. 2) and an I/O logic (e.g., the I/O logic 207 of FIG. 2).

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram representing an example method 789 for usingmemory device sensors in accordance with a number of embodiments of thepresent disclosure. At 790, the method 789 includes, determining, by acontroller (e.g., the controller 102 of FIG. 1) coupled to a memorydevice (e.g., memory device 112 of FIG. 1), a first threshold of asensor (e.g., sensors 130 of FIG. 1) embedded in the memory device. Thesensors can be embedded in the memory device and enabled to generatevalues (e.g., temperature values, motion sensor values, time values,etc.) which can be provided to another device and be accessible tousers, or end applications. The sensor in this example, can be atemperature sensor embedded in the memory device and the first thresholdcan be a high temperature threshold. The controller can configure thetemperature sensor to include a high temperature threshold and/or a lowtemperature threshold.

For example, at 791, the method 789 can include determining, by thecontroller, a second threshold of the sensor embedded in the memorydevice. In this example, the second threshold can be a low temperaturethreshold. The controller can, via the memory device, transmit anindication to the other device responsive to the temperature sensordetecting a temperature that is greater than or less than the firstthreshold and the second threshold.

For example, at 792, the method 789 includes configuring the memorydevice to transmit an indication responsive to the sensor detecting avalue greater than the first threshold or less than the secondthreshold. In this example embodiment of method 789, the secondthreshold can be a low temperature threshold. To provide the otherdevice and/or the vehicle with the indication and/or the sensor datavalues from the embedded sensors, the memory device can transmit theindication (or sensor data values) via a sensor output dedicated to theembedded sensors of the memory device.

For example, at 793, the method 789 can include transmitting theindication, via a sensor output, to another device (e.g., the device 420of FIG. 4). The other device may be a part of a vehicle (e.g., thevehicle 403 of FIG. 4) or a computing device that includes hardwareand/or software to control the operations of the vehicle. The otherdevice can be directly or indirectly coupled to the sensors embedded inthe memory device via the sensor output (e.g., the sensor output 118 ofFIG. 1). In some embodiments, the memory device can alter the first andthe second threshold of the embedded sensor based on an operation of theother device (e.g., an operation of a device such as a vehicle thatincludes the other device).

For example, the method 789 can further include detecting, by thecontroller, a change in an operation of the other device (e.g., a changein operation of the vehicle), altering, by the controller, the firstthreshold of the sensor embedded in the memory device; and altering, bythe controller, the second threshold of the sensor embedded in thememory device, where the first threshold and the second threshold arealtered based at least in part on the detected change in operation ofthe other device. In this example, the other device is coupled to avehicle and the change in operation is the vehicle changing from aparked operation to a moving operation. The alteration of the sensorthreshold can include disabling one or more sensors embedded in thememory device.

While the examples of FIG. 7 describe the utilization of a sensoroutput, embodiments are not so limited. The examples, described inconnection with FIG. 7 can utilize registers (e.g., the registers 224 ofFIG. 2) and an I/O logic (e.g., the I/O logic 207 of FIG. 2).

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram representing another example method 894 forusing memory device sensors in accordance with a number of embodimentsof the present disclosure. At 895, the method 894 includes, determining,by a controller (e.g., the controller 402 of FIG. 4), a first thresholdof a first sensor (e.g., 430-1 of FIG. 4) embedded in a memory device(e.g., the memory device 412 of FIG. 4). The sensors can be embedded inthe memory device and enabled to generate values (e.g., temperaturevalues, motion sensor values, time values, etc.) which can be providedto another device (e.g., the device 420 of FIG. 4) and be accessible tousers, or end applications.

At 896, the method 894 can include determining a second threshold of asecond sensor (e.g., the sensor 430-P of FIG. 2) embedded in the memorydevice. The memory device and/or the controller included in the memorydevice can be configured to transmit an indication about the values (orthe values themselves) generated by the sensors embedded in the memorydevice to the other device.

For example, at 897, the method 894 can include configuring, by thecontroller, the memory device to transmit an indication responsive tothe first sensor detecting a first value greater than or less than thefirst threshold and responsive to the second sensor detecting a secondvalue greater than or less than the second threshold. The indication canbe transmitted via a sensor output (e.g., the sensor output 418 of FIG.4). Using this method, the sensors embedded in the memory device cantransmit the sensor data values generated to the other device coupled tothe vehicle, and/or an indication about the values detected by theembedded sensors can be transmitted to the other device coupled to the avehicle and/or another device.

For example, at 898, the method 894 can include transmitting theindication to another device, via a sensor output coupling the firstsensor and the second sensor to the other device, wherein the indicationis based on the first value and the second value. The indication can bean alert indicating that a value collected by the sensors embedded inthe memory device is greater than or less than the respective configuredthresholds. The other device coupled to the vehicle can, based on thisindication, take an action such as heating or cooling a vehicle,sounding an alarm, etc.

While the examples of FIG. 8 describe the utilization of a sensoroutput, embodiments are not so limited. The examples, described inconnection with FIG. 8 can utilize registers (e.g., the registers 224 ofFIG. 2) and an I/O logic (e.g., the I/O logic 207 of FIG. 2). Whileexamples of a vehicle are used herein, other examples are contemplated.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that anarrangement calculated to achieve the same results can be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coveradaptations or variations of one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. It is to be understood that the above description has beenmade in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one. Combinationof the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specificallydescribed herein will be apparent to those of skill in the art uponreviewing the above description. The scope of the one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure includes other applications inwhich the above structures and processes are used. Therefore, the scopeof one or more embodiments of the present disclosure should bedetermined with reference to the appended claims, along with the fullrange of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, some features are groupedtogether in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining thedisclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the disclosed embodiments of the presentdisclosure have to use more features than are expressly recited in eachclaim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matterlies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus,the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: determining by a controllercoupled to a memory device a first threshold of a sensor embedded in thememory device; determining by the controller a second threshold of thesensor embedded in the memory device; configuring the memory device totransmit an indication responsive to the sensor detecting a valuegreater than the first threshold or less than the second threshold; andtransmitting the indication, via a sensor output, to another device. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein responsive to receiving the indicationvia the sensor output, the other device activates a cooling component.3. The method of claim 1, wherein responsive to receiving the indicationvia the sensor output, the other device activates a heating component.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the other device is coupled to avehicle and the sensor is a temperature sensor embedded in the memorydevice coupled to the vehicle, to generate a temperature value of theinterior of the vehicle.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprisingtransmitting, via the sensor output, a signal representing thetemperature value to a user interface coupled to the vehicle.
 6. Themethod of claim 4, further comprising: configuring, by the controller,the first threshold to be a high temperature threshold of the interiorof the vehicle; and configuring, by the controller, the second thresholdto be a low temperature threshold of the interior of the vehicle.
 7. Themethod of claim 4, further comprising: receiving, by the other devicecoupled to the vehicle, a temperature value via the sensor output,wherein he temperature value is generated by the sensor embedded in thememory device; determining that the temperature value is in-between thefirst threshold and the second threshold; and refraining from activatinga temperature control component based on the temperature value.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: detecting, by the controller, achange in an operation of the other device; altering, by the controller,the first threshold of the sensor embedded in memory device; andaltering, by the controller, the second threshold of the sensor embeddedin the memory device, wherein the first threshold and the secondthreshold are altered based at least in part on the detected change inoperation of the other device.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein theother device is coupled to a vehicle and the change in operation is thevehicle changing from a parked operation to a moving operation.
 10. Amethod, comprising: determining, by a controller, a first threshold of afirst sensor embedded in a memory device; determining a second thresholdof a second sensor embedded in the memory device; configuring, by thecontroller, the memory device to transmit an indication responsive tothe first sensor detecting a first value greater than or less than thefirst threshold and responsive to the second sensor detecting a secondvalue greater than or less than the second threshold; and transmittingthe indication to another device, via a sensor output coupling the firstsensor and the second sensor to the other device, wherein the indicationis based on the first value and the second value.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein: the other device is coupled to a vehicle; the firstsensor is a temperature sensor embedded in the memory device todetermine a temperature value of an interior of the vehicle; and thesecond sensor is a motion sensor embedded the memory device to detectmotion within the interior of the vehicle.
 12. The method of claim 11,wherein the second threshold is a quantity of motion values detected bythe motion sensor embedded in the memory device within a predeterminedperiod of time.
 13. The method of claim 10, further comprisingconfiguring the memory device to refrain from transmitting theindication responsive to the first sensor detecting the first value isgreater than or less than the first threshold and responsive to thesecond sensor detecting the second value is not greater than or lessthan the second threshold.
 14. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising detecting, by the controller, a change in an operation of theother device, wherein the other device is coupled to a vehicle and thechange in operation is the vehicle changing from a parked operation to amoving operation.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:altering, by the controller, the first threshold of the first sensorembedded in memory device; and altering, by the controller, the secondthreshold of the second sensor embedded in the memory device, whereinthe first threshold and the second threshold are altered based at leastin part on the detected change in operation of the vehicle.
 16. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising disabling the second sensorembedded in the memory device based on the detection, by the controllerthat the vehicle is in motion, wherein the second sensor is a motionsensor embedded in the memory device.
 17. A system, comprising: awireless communication device configured to communicate using a wirelesspeer-to-peer or machine-type-communication protocol; a memory devicecoupled to the wireless communication device; a one or more sensorsembedded in the memory device and coupled to the wireless communicationdevice via a sensor output, the memory device configured to: determinerespective thresholds for each of the one or more sensors embedded inthe memory device; and transmit an indication to the wirelesscommunication device responsive to one or more sensors detecting a valuethat is greater than or less than the respective thresholds for the oneor more sensors.
 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising: atemperature sensor embedded in the memory device and configured with afirst threshold associated with a temperature characteristic; and amotion sensor embedded in the memory device and configured to with asecond threshold associated with a characteristic of relative motion ofanother object.
 19. The system of claim 18, further comprising acontroller coupled to the memory device, the controller configured totransmit the indication to the wireless communication device via thesensor output responsive to a determination that a first value detectedby the temperature sensor is greater than or less than the firstthreshold value and responsive to a determination that a second valuedetected by the motion sensor is greater than or less than the secondthreshold.
 20. The system of claim 18, further comprising a controllercoupled to the memory device, the controller configured to cause thememory device to refrain from transmitting the indication to thewireless device via the sensor output responsive to a determination thata first value detected by the temperature sensor is greater than or lessthan the first threshold value and responsive to a determination that asecond value detected by the motion sensor is greater than or less thanthe second threshold.